Making His Message Reach Everyone

 

God uses our life circumstance for spreading the gospel.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Wednesday of 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, November 29th, 2023
Texts: Daniel 5:1-6.13-14.16-17.23-28; Canticle Daniel 3:62-67; Luke 21:12-19

Today’s readings remind us that God has different ways of making His message reach everyone. He gives some people endearing gifts and fame across social status, cultures, nations and races. Such was the situation of Daniel in today’s first reading. God gave him light and understanding and excellent wisdom and fame that reached the king. It is possible to have such gifts and yet has no fame. The favour bestowed on Daniel brought him before the King and to speak to him.  

Thanks to Daniel for his willingness to put his gift at the service of God. He was selfless in using the gifts of God to him. He said, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation”. This reminds us of the words of our Lord: “You received without payment; give without payment” (Mtt. 10:8). Hence, He teaches us a virtue our Lord demands from us.  

God uses our life circumstance for spreading the gospel

Today’s gospel reading relates another way God can bring us in contact with those who need His gospel. Jesus Christ tells us persecution will be a means of coming in contact those who need the gospel. In His words, “They will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.” This tells us that God uses our life circumstance for spreading the gospel. He used the gift of Daniel and the persecution of His disciples for spreading the gospel. 

Do we have gifts? Let us use the opportunity they present to spread the gospel. What is our life circumstance now? Let us use the opportunity it presents to spread the gospel. Let us be willing to use our gifts for service of God and humanity. Every circumstance of our life is useful to God; He glorify Himself through any condition of life. 

Prayer  

God our Father, grant us the grace to serve You through the circumstance of our life; may we always be willing and ready to serve You the author of life. Amen 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke